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Being Precise

Being Precise. Precise. Clear. Forthright. Familiar. Concise. Fluid.

lyle-beck
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Being Precise

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  1. Being Precise Precise Clear Forthright Familiar Concise Fluid How upset [Max Planck] was whenever he inadvertently gave out the wrong information, whether in Engineering publication or casual conversation, since despite all efforts at retraction, he knew that at least some untruth would always persist. Lise Meitner

  2. Precision means choosing the right words and appropriate level of detail choosing the right word choosing appropriate level of detail word word word right word word word word word word word word detail detail detail detail detail detail detail

  3. discharge spark: the transient irreversible event from one steady state of the electrical breakdown process to another. gas discharge: any of the three steady states of the electrical breakdown process. spark Voltage Current Choose words carefully because many engineering terms have specific meanings The last decade has seen a rapid development of new techniques for studying the enormously complex phenomena associated with the develop- ment of sparks and other gas discharges.

  4. adequate: sufficient dictionary meaning adequate: insufficient adequate: sufficient; enough for what is required suggested meaning Another consideration in choosing the correct word is the connotation Denotation Connotation

  5. agglomerate small particles bonded into an integrated mass aggregate coarse particles such as sand or gravel dictionary meaning cement a material, usually ceramic, for bonding solids concrete agglomerate of aggregate and hydraulic cement hydraulic cement cement that bonds by a reaction with water In choosing the right word, you first have to consider the denotation Denotation

  6. Words have both denotations and connotations Neutral Positive Negative cost-effective cheap inexpensive unusual simple clear strange novel simplistic streamlined obvious

  7. Precision means choosing the right words and appropriate level of detail choosing the right word choosing appropriate level of detail word word word right word word word word word word word word detail detail detail detail detail detail detail

  8. After finding that high winds (and not hail) had cracked the ten solar mirrors, we began stowing all mirrors in a horizontal position during thunderstorms. Trash Generalities that are not anchored with specifics are soon forgotten After recognizing some problems with the solar mirrors, we took subsequent corrective measures.

  9. The number of hydrocarbon combinations in our study is enormous. For example, the number of possible C40H82 is more than 62 trillion. For precise language, you should avoid over-specifying details The number of particular hydrocarbon combinations in our study is enormous. For example, the number of possible C20H42 is 366,319 and the number for C40H82 is 62,491,178,805,831.

  10. Operations at the plant stopped for 1.5 hours so that a valve in the thermal storage system could be replaced. For precision, you must choose theappropriate level of detail Operations at the plant stopped momentarily because the thermal storage charging system desuperheater attemperator valve was replaced.

  11. Being Clear Precise Clear Forthright Familiar Concise Fluid When you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor. Albert Einstein

  12. Streamlining language language Clarity means making sure that no onemisreads you Avoiding ambiguities languagelanguagelanguagelangu??

  13. This study will consider why current solar energy systems, such as Solar One, have not reached the commercial stage and will find out what steps we can take to make these systems commercial. R.I.P. Complex wording also buries ideas The goal of this study is to develop a commerciali- zation strategy for solar energy systems by analyzing factors impeding early commercial projects (i.e., SOLAR ONE) and by identifying the potential actions that can facilitate the viability of the projects.

  14. Solar One is a solar-powered pilot plant located near Barstow, California. Solar One produces 10 megawatts of electricity by capturing solar energy in a central receiver design. Stacking adjectives before nouns swallows the ideas Solar One is a 10 megawatt solar thermal electric central receiver Barstow power pilot plant.

  15. At high pressures (760 torr) and typical electrode gap distances (1 mm), the electrical breakdown of nitrogen was studied in uniform fields. Complex sentences misdirect readers The goal of the work was to confirm the nature of electrical breakdown of nitrogen in uniform fields at high pressures and electrode gaps which approach those obtained in engineering practice, prior to the deter-mination of the processes which set the criterion for breakdown in the above-mentioned gas in uniform and non-uniform fields of engineering significance.

  16. In our study, we examined the electrical breakdown of nitrogen in uniform fields. For these experiments, the electrode gap distances were typical (1 mm), while the pressures were relatively high (760 torr). The more muddled the original, the more revisions are needed to streamline it At high pressures (760 torr) and typical electrode gap distances (1 mm), the electrical breakdown of nitrogen was studied in uniform fields.

  17. In that the "Big Bang," currently the most credible theory for how the universe was created, explains only hydrogen and helium, we are left to theorize as to how all the other elements came into being. Having studied the nuclear reactions that constitute the life and death cycles of stars, many scientists believe that there lies the key. The "Big Bang" is the most credible theory for the creation of the universe. Nevertheless, it explains the creation of only helium and hydrogen. What about the other elements? Many scientists believe that those elements came from nuclear reactions in the life and death cycles of stars. Archaic structures sound unnatural

  18. One measure for the complexity of the writing is the Gunning Fog Index In the index, the complexity of the writing depends on (1) the lengths of sentences (2) the lengths of words Desired index values for scientific writing are 10-12: New York Times (11) Scientific American (12) Fi = 0.4 ((Nw / Ns )+ Plw) Nw = number of words in a typical paragraph Ns = number of sentences in the paragraph Plw = percentage of long words in the paragraph

  19. Exercise Calculate the fog indices of the Bohr paragraph (top of page 89) and the Einstein paragraph (bottom of page 116). Fi = 0.4 ((Nw / Ns )+ Plw) Nw= number of words in random paragraph Ns= number of sentences in the paragraph Plw= percentage of long words in the paragraph (> 3 syllables) not first word in sentence; no proper nouns; no verbs that acquire third syllable on ending

  20. Streamlining language language Clarity means making sure that no onemisreads you Avoiding ambiguities languagelanguagelanguagelangu??

  21. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day the pain in the knee had completely disappeared. An ambiguity is a group of words that can have more than one meaning On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it had completely disappeared. Dr. Richard Lederer Journal of Court Reporting

  22. We wanted to reduce the vibration of the fan at the exhaust because the exhaust ducting was cracking. Word choice often causes ambiguities We wanted to reduce the vibration of the fan at the exhaust as the exhaust ducting was cracking.

  23. Syntax often causes ambiguities,especially with adverbs Only I tested the Labrador for rabies yesterday. I only tested the Labrador for rabies yesterday. I tested the only Labrador for rabies yesterday. I tested the Labrador only for rabies yesterday. I tested the Labrador for rabies only yesterday.

  24. Although engineers realized the design flaws in the Titanic soon after its sinking in 1912, the reasons for the severe damage inflicted by the iceberg remained a mystery until the Titanic’s discovery in 1985. Also causing ambiguities are pronouns, particularly the pronouns it and this Although engineers realized the design flaws in the Titanic soon after its sinking in 1912, the reasons for the severe damage inflicted by the iceberg remained a mystery until its discovery in 1985.

  25. Because the receiver presented the radiometer with a high flux environment, the radiometer was mounted in a silver-plated stainless steel container. Also causing ambiguities are pronouns, particularly the pronouns it and this Because the receiver presented the radiometer with a high flux environment, it was mounted in a silver-plated stainless steel container.

  26. As light hydrocarbons evaporate, the oil vapor pressure falls. Not having commas after introductory phrases or clauses often causes ambiguities As light hydrocarbons evaporate the oil vapor pressure falls.

  27. We examined four fuels: neat methanol, neat ethanol, methanol with 10% water, and ethanol with 10% water. When commas are missing within lists, ambiguities often occur We examined neat methanol and ethanol and methanol and ethanol with 10% water.

  28. Being Clear Precise Clear Forthright Familiar Concise Fluid When you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor. Albert Einstein

  29. Formatting Scientific Documents

  30. In scientific writing, formats vary considerably to serve different situations Formal Reports Journal Articles Presentation Slides

  31. Not all rules of format are constant Journals ASME fig. 1 table 1 Eq. 1 Reports Sandia Laboratories Figure 1 Table 1 equation 1 Textbooks Prentice-Hall Fig. 1 Table 1 equation (1)

  32. Format is the arrangement of type on the page typography layout

  33. Arial abcdefghijklmnopqr stuwxyz1234567890 Times New Roman abcdefghijklmnopqr stuvwxyz1234567890 Arial Narrow abcdefghijklmnopqr stuwxyz1234567890 Garamond abcdefghijklmnopqr stuvwxyz1234567890 Comic Sans abcdefghijklmnopqr stuwxyz1234567890 Courier abcdefghijklmnopqr stuvwxyz1234567890 Each typestyle has its own personality and power Serif Sans Serif

  34. WORDS SET IN ALL CAPS USE MORE SPACE THAN TEXT SET IN LOWERCASE. Words set in all caps use more space than words set in lowercase. TYPE IS TO READ Type is to read Avoid large blocks of capital letters

  35. Morton-Thiokol’s presentation to NASA suffered because of all capital letters on the slides PRIMARY CONCERNS - FIELD JOINT - HIGHEST CONCERN • EROSION PENETRATION OF PRIMARY SEAL REQUIRES RELIABLE SECONDARY SEAL FOR PRESSURE INTEGRITY • IGNITION TRANSIENT - (0-600 MS) • (0-170 MS) HIGH PROBABILITY OF RELIABLE SECONDARY SEAL • (170-330 MS) REDUCED PROBABILITY OF RELIABLE SECONDARY SEAL • (330-600 MS) HIGH PROBABILITY OF NO SECONDARY SEAL CAPABILITY • STEADY STATE - (600 MS - 2 MINUTES) • IF EROSION PENETRATES PRIMARY O-RING SEAL - HIGH PROBABILITY OF NO SECONDARY SEAL CAPABILITY • BENCH TESTING SHOWED O-RING NOT CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING CONTACT WITH METAL PARTS GAP OPERATING TO MEOP • BENCH TESTING SHOWED CAPABILITY TO MAINTAIN O-RING CONTACT DURING INITIAL PHASE (0 - 170 MS) OF TRANSIENT Morton-Thiokol Presentation to NASA January 27, 1986

  36. Choose a type size that is easy to read 48 point 36 point 24 point 18 point 14 point 12 point 10 point 8 point posters presentation slides titles text footnotes

  37. In your layouts, use white space for association, emphasis, and hierarchy space for headings space for margins space for illustrations

  38. Follow the format that is expected or required for the situation

  39. Illustration:The Meshing of Words With Images Keep it as simple as possible, yet no simpler. Albert Einstein X-ray photograph of DNA [Rosalind Franklin, 1952]

  40. Pressurizer Date Time Power Level 4/25 1:00 am 3200 MW 4/25 2:00 pm 1600 MW 4/25 11:10 pm 1600 MW 4/26 1:00 am 30 MW 4/26 1:19 am 200 MW 4/26 1:23 am 2,000,000 MW Coolant Loss Reactor Vessel Steam Generator Core Figure 1. Simplified diagram of nuclear reactor [Wolfson, 1991]. Two types of illustrations exist: tables and figures Table 1. Reactor power levels in Chernobyl accident [Wolfson, 1991].

  41. Tables can present words as well as numbers Table 2. Sequence of events in the Chernobyl accident [Wolfson, 1991]. Date Time Power Level Event April 25 April 25 April 25 April 26 April 26 April 26 1:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 11:10 p.m. 1:00 a.m. 1:19 a.m. 1:23 a.m. 3200 MW 1600 MW 1600 MW 30 MW 200 MW 2,000,000 MW Operators begin power descent Power descent delayed for 9 hours Emergency core-cooling system disconnected Operators switch off automatic control Power descent resumed Power minimum reached Operators pull rods beyond allowable limits Operators start two additional coolant pumps Operators violate coolant flow limits Power surges by factor of 10,000 in 5 seconds

  42. Table 2. Blood glucose levels [Carlson, 1982]. Breakfast 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Dinner Lunch Diabetic Blood Glucose Level (mg/dl) Normal (mg/dl*) 100.3 93.6 88.2 100.5 138.6 102.4 93.8 132.3 103.8 93.6 127.8 109.2 Diabetic (mg/dl) 175.8 165.7 159.4 72.1 271.0 224.6 161.8 242.7 219.4 152.6 227.1 221.3 Time (hour) midnight 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00 10:00 noon 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00 10:00 Normal 12:00 6:00 am 12:00 6:00 pm 12:00 Hour * decaliters/milligram Figure 11. Blood glucose levels for normal individual and diabetic [Carlson, 1982]. When presenting numerical data, you choose between tables and graphs

  43. 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Experiment Simulation 0 2 4 6 8 10 Line graphs are common in engineering and science Temperature (K) Distance From Burner (mm) Figure 3. Computational and experimental temperatures for laminar diffusion flames [Sandia, 1987].

  44. Bar graphs compare wholes 30 Normal range 20 7-10 Cells% 10 112–175 211–366 Flight Duration (Days) Figure 4. Response of T-cells in cosmonauts after short-term and long-term flights [Konstantinova, 1991].

  45. Task 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 Construction Test and Evaluation Power Production Figure 5. Schedule for the construction, evaluation, and production phases of the Solar One Power Plant. Gantt charts are a type of bar charts

  46. Pie graphs compare parts of a whole P o w e r R e a c t o r Medical and research wastes (16%) I n d u s t r i a l M e d i c a l Industrial wastes (28%) G o v e r n m e n t Government wastes (2%) Power reactor wastes (64%) Figure 5. Volume of low-level nuclear wastes from various sources [League, 1985].

  47. Natural Sources 85 mrem Medical Sources 70 mrem { Average dose: 160 mrem Fallout: < 3mrem Occupational: < 1mrem Nuclear power: < 1mrem Figure 6. Estimated annual dose of radiation in the United States [GPU Nuclear, 1985]. Graphs come in many forms

  48. 4 1 Combustor 3 2 Compressor Turbine When presenting images, you choose between photographs, drawings, and diagrams

  49. The main advantage of photographs is realism 60 seconds 59.5 seconds 59 seconds Figure 2. Space Shuttle Challenger, from about 59 seconds to 60 seconds into launch (January 28, 1986). On the right rocket, flame first becomes visible and then impinges on tank.

  50. Combustor Simulator Turbine Vanes Secondary Flow Dilution Jet Primary Flow Secondary Flow Film-Cooling Holes One advantage of drawings is control of detail Figure 5. Wind tunnel experiment at Virginia Tech for evaluating film-cooling designs for the blades of gas turbine engines [Thole and others, 2000].

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